Government inertia is never a good idea when it comes to population and planning. This has to be especially so for Hong Kong, where fertility rates are among the lowest in the world, society is ageing fast and the workforce is shrinking. But despite the necessity to have forward-looking policies in place to ensure smooth growth and development, our city has instead lacked resolve to deal with what would seem to be an on-rushing crisis. The decision by Singapore's leaders to tackle their similar challenges head-on is reason to spur the discussion that authorities have avoided.

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong is cranking up a national debate on babies this month, with proposals to Parliament that would attempt to stem the country's slumping birth rate. Penelope Sim isn't listening.